Prologue
Lightning flashed as the little girl sat there, curled up in the massive chair, surrounded by shelves lined with books, while she had a book of her own in her lap. The room appeared too big when compared to her small body. When a clap of thunder began to shake the windows, she didn’t seem bothered, that’s how interested she was in the book.
Her brunette head tilted up at the sound of my footsteps, stray locks shifting from in front of her bright green eyes that showed confusion. “Why is there writing at the bottom of this page?”
“That was written there for your knowledge; it’s to let you know the truth about this land.” I murmured; walking up to her side as I read over the page filled with lies that were told to the children of today.
“Oh,” she paused, her eyes returning to the book for a moment. “Are the people mentioned in The Tale still alive?”
“Yes, they are.” My arm now rested along the back of her chair as I skimmed over The Tale. Memories of when I was first changed, ‘for the better’ as Stone would put it, came rushing back, along with the first Helper I had ever taught.
“Are you one of them?” she asked, her face turning up to face mine. I nodded. “Then how old are you?” she paused again. “And what are you?”
“You’re a very curious child.” I said more to myself than Rin. “I believe I already told you what I am.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t think so.”
I sighed. “A kitsune?” the blank expression on her face told that she had no clue of what I was speaking of. “Kitsune are supposedly cousins of fairies who are able to assume form as a fox, which is the meaning of kitsune in Japanese. They pose superior intelligence, long life, and magic. ”
She yawned as she blankly stared at me, then spoke up. “How can you keep them under your control when we’re so far away?” she asked, sliding the book onto the table behind her as I picked her up.
“Magic, something I plan on using constantly on your parents. It is also something that I will be teaching you.” I took hold of her small hands, placing them around my neck. “Now, get some rest, you’ve been up much longer than any little girl should.”
“Why do you always plan on using it on them?” she asked, resting her head on my shoulder.
“I have to; otherwise I wouldn’t be able to teach you the ways of the Other World, a world that you belong to.” I turned towards the door as Rin’s breathing evened out. There was a man standing there, his blue eyes centered on the little girl.
My grip tightened on her.
“She’s the one.” Stone took a step forward, reaching a hand out towards Rin’s head. “She will be the perfect little Helper. The two bloodlines that flow through her are both strong, both of them belonging to killers.” He began to stroke her hair as she slept.
“What do you mean two bloodlines? She only has witch blood.” I paused, pulling the girl away from Stone. “You better not force her to-”
“You don’t sense the other line? I always thought that you would be able to sense these things.” He paused for a moment. “And I won’t be forcing anyone to do anything. You seem very fond of this child.”
“So are you.” I hissed, narrowing my eyes on him.
“Next time she visits,” Stone began, turning towards the doorway. “make sure you bring her by my office so she can receive her first task.” He paused, scanning the room. “Oh, and make sure to train her well, unlike the last one, she will be ridding me of many more threats.”
“One more thing.” He turned back around to face me. “Make sure she’s the perfect killer, since she was born to be so. She glows much brighter than the others.” With that, he left the room.
I sighed. “Let’s get you home.” My fingers brushed back a few strands of dark brown hair that had fallen into her face. “This may be the last night you ever have peaceful sleep.”
With that, I walked through the glowing doorway, entering another world.
